Tag Archives: military solutions

Foreign Minister Ali Babacan urged Western powers to re-evaluate their approach to handling problems in Afghanistan and switch from a focus on military action to one which emphasizes the importance of diplomacy. He offered scant hope that sending thousands of more American troops to Afghanistan will result in what President Obama or military leaders seek to achieve. Instead, Babacan wants to focus more intently on political solutions. “We believe that some and indeed most of the groups that support the Taliban could be drawn into politics through negotiations. If this happens, the elections will have greater participation.” Bacan warned sending more troops to Afghanistan would only increase the ability of the Taliban to launch more attacks.

Babacan is urged the United States to pursue diplomacy and step one is to engage Iran with the entire Afghanistan situation. The Shiite Iranian government is no friend of the Sunni Taliban and therefore could be an ally in dealing with the insurgents. Involving Iran as an ally in fighting the Taliban could eventually help resolve problems with that nation over its nuclear policy.

Several years ago Israel had an active and vibrant Peace Now movement, but in the aftermath of turbulence, rockets, inept leadership, public opinion has moved toward a hard stance view of relations with Arab nations. Although the nation is divided on ways of responding to the Kassam rockets from Gaza, it is quite clear a 71% majority says Israel should not accept the Hamas offer of a cease fire and favors military solutions to issues of peace. In a new poll, 25% want to reoccupy Gaza while one-third wanted a more limited military action. There was also strong feeling the nation needs a national government and many Israelis believe there is less interest in southern regions of their country than in major urban centers.

It is understandable why many Israelis are moving toward military solutions after so many years of failed peace negotiations. However, the history of every successful peace agreement between those who had been engaged in violence against one another suggests the importance of never giving up the flag of peace. The current Israel military solution has been anything but a solution. Every time a Hamas leader is killed, violence increases, it does not go down. Israel, like the Palestinians, suffers from lack of visionary leaders who can transcend the present and focus on ways to move into a peaceful future.

Perhaps, Israel might borrow the talents of a Nelson Mandela to help negotiate peace. Its current crop of leaders lack the expertise of developing plans for peace.